CEOs Who Risk Big for Big Paydays

Research shows that incentivizing CEOs with large pay and stock-option packages doesn't always have the intended effect of aligning their interests with shareholders. These six CEOs got fired because their risky moves backfired. Did their big paydays blind them to risk?

Angelo MoziloCountrywide

Stan O'NealMerrill Lynch

Carly FiorinaHP

Ken ThompsonWachovia

Kerry KillingerWaMu

Chuck PrinceCitigroup

A version of this article appeared in the February 2009 issue of Fast Company magazine.